Serbian gay rights activists improvise after police ban pride march

BELGRADE, Serbia — Embattled Serbian gay rights activists on Saturday staged a brief protest and held an indoor gathering after a pride march was banned by police over far-right security threats.

Amid a heavy police presence, about two dozen flag-waving activists briefly appeared outside an office building in central Belgrade and sat down on the sidewalk for what they described as a "small, silent, nonviolent and motionless protest."

Police have banned the parade for the past two years, saying they fear a repeat of the violence from 2010 when more than 100 people were injured in daylong clashes with extremists.

Activists announced plans to hold an event in September 2013, saying they hoped it would give authorities enough time to allow the march. The ban has drawn criticism at home and abroad.

Human Rights Watch urged Serbia on Friday to revoke the decision and provide security for the marchers. The group says "basic human rights are being thrown overboard."

"Pointing to security risks without any visible effort to come up with a reasonable plan to make the Belgrade Pride Parade happen is succumbing to threats of violence," said Boris Dittrich, the group's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy director.

Activists at the indoor event on Saturday said they will put pressure on authorities to pass a declaration in the parliament against homophobia and amend the criminal law to include hate crimes.

Improving gay and other human rights is key for Serbia, whose new, nationalist-led government has pledged to continue with the country's bid to join the European Union. EU's enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule has urged the authorities to make sure any future events will be held.